Stockings

ABSTRACT

A stocking which comprises a knitting yarn having an ion powder formed through pulverizing a poly-element ore (defined in the specification) incorporated therein. The above stocking generates negative ions, which improve the circulation of blood, from the knitting yarn itself and thus is useful for the health promotion, for example, the increase of immune strength, mental stabilization, the improvement of physical function, the excretion of a waste product, the improvement of the function of a respiratory organ, and the lightening of the feeling of lassitude.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to stockings (including stockings, pantyhose, socks, and the like), in particular, to stockings that can work to promote health by causing negative ions to be generated from the knitting yarn.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various products intended to promote health by generating negative ions have been proposed in the prior art.

Examples of these products of the prior art include the cutting blade shown in Publication of Unexamined Patent Application 2002-292163, the scissors for hair-dressing or barbering shown in Publication of Unexamined Patent Application 2002-119777, and the textile product shown in Publication of Unexamined Utility Model Application 3035190. In addition, items have also been proposed wherein an ion powder is impregnated in the material of a hair drier, a cover sheet used as bedding, a pillow, and the like.

However, in the prior art, no items made in such a way that an ion powder is impregnated into the knitting yarn of stockings are evident.

Moreover, in the prior art, stockings made in such a way to promote blood circulation in the lower half of the body by alkalinizing the blood with negative electrical charges produced by friction during wear have been proposed in Publication of Unexamined Utility Model Application Hei 7-33914.

These stockings of the prior art are knitted using a polyvinyl-chloride-based synthetic fiber as a knitting yarn having a property wherein the fiber itself generates negative electrical charges as a result of friction, and differ from those made in such a way that the negative ions are generated from the knitting yarn itself.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing stockings that cause negative ions to be generated from the knitting yarn itself, thereby improving circulation of blood through the action of these negative ions, and that are useful in promoting health, including improving immune system potency, stabilizing mood, improving physical functions, the excretion of waste products, improving respiratory functions, relieving feelings of fatigue, and the like. In addition, it also addresses the problem [challenge] of endowing stockings with fungicidal and antibacterial properties.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above-mentioned problems, the stockings of the present invention (Claim 1) are constituted in such a way as to incorporate, at least in part, a knitting yarn impregnated with an ion powder formed by pulverizing a multi-element mineral.

There is an embodiment wherein, in the stockings of the above-mentioned Claim 1, the aforementioned knitting yarn is a covering yarn in which a non-elastic yarn is wound around an elastic core yarn, and an ion powder is impregnated into the elastic core yarn and/or non-elastic yarn (Claim 2).

In addition, there is an embodiment wherein, in the stockings of the aforementioned Claim 1 or Claim 2, the aforementioned knitting yarn is formed by impregnating an ion powder formed by pulverizing a multi-element mineral and a far-infrared radiating powdered body formed by pulverizing a far-infrared radiating material (Claim 3). Also, there is an embodiment wherein, in the stockings of aforementioned Claim 1, Claim 2, or Claim 3, the particle diameter of the aforementioned ion powder is less than or equal to 2.0 microns (Claim 4), and an embodiment wherein, in the stockings of Claim 3, the particle diameter of the far-infrared radiating powdered body is less than or equal to 2.0 microns (Claim 5). Moreover, there is an embodiment wherein, in the stockings of the aforementioned Claim 1, Claim 2, or Claim 4, the amount of the aforementioned ion powder to be blended is from 0.05% to 3.00% as a weight ratio (Claim 6). In addition, there is an embodiment wherein, in the stockings of above-mentioned Claim 1, Claim 2, or Claim 4, the amount of the aforementioned ion powder to be blended is from 0.1% to 1.0% as a weight ratio (Claim 7). Also, there is an embodiment wherein, in the stockings according to Claim 3 or Claim 5, the total amount of the aforementioned ion powder and the aforementioned far-infrared radiating powdered body is from 0.06% to 3.00% as a weight ratio (Claim 8). Moreover, there is an embodiment wherein, in the stockings according to Claim 3 or Claim 5, the total amount of the aforementioned ion powder and the aforementioned far-infrared radiating powdered body is from 0.1% to 1.0% as a weight ratio (Claim 9). In addition, there is an embodiment wherein, in the stockings according to Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, the knitting yarn is formed by impregnating at least one metallic powder of a silver compound, a copper compound, or a zinc compound (claim 10). In addition, there is an embodiment wherein the particle diameter of the metallic powder is less than or equal to 2.0 microns (Claim 11), an embodiment wherein, in the stockings according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, when impregnated with a metallic power, the total amount of the ion powder and metallic powder, or the total amount of ion powder and far-infrared radiating powdered body and metallic powder, to be blended is from 0.06% to 3.00% as a weight ratio (Claim 12), and an embodiment wherein, in the stockings according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, the total amount of the ion powder and metallic powder when a metallic power has been impregnated, or the total amount of ion powder and far-infrared radiating powdered body and metallic powder to be blended is from 0.1% to 1.0% as a weight ratio (Claim 13).

The stockings of the present invention shall include regular stockings, pantyhose having a welt part and a panty part, tights, and above-the-knee stockings.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing showing a working example of the knitting yarn to be used in the stockings of the present invention, where (a) shows the contracted state, and (b) shows the extended state.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below through the working examples shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing showing a working example of the knitting yarn to be used in the stockings of the present invention, where FIG. 1 (a) shows the contracted state, and FIG. 1 (b) shows the extended state.

The stockings of the present invention are knitted using a knitting yarn impregnated with an ion powder (hereinafter, “ion knitting yarn”), and are provided with at least one knitted part using this ion knitting yarn.

For example, in terms of pantyhose, any one location or several locations, such as the welt part of the waist section, the panty part of the hip section, the leg part of the leg section, or the toe part of toe section, or the entirety, can be knitted using the ion knitting yarn.

Also, depending on the type of knitting yarn used in the leg section, stockings may be referred to, respectively, as a woolly-type that uses a false-twist textured yarn, a zokki-type that uses a covering yarn (single-covering or double-covering) in 100% [of the stocking], or an alternating-course-type that is knitted using alternating courses of a covering yarn and a straight yarn, but the stockings of the present invention are applicable to any of these.

The ion knitting yarn employs a covering yarn in which a single or double layer of a non-elastic yarn is wound around an elastic core yarn, and is made in such a way that an ion powder is impregnated into the elastic core yarn and/or the non-elastic yarn that constitute this covering yarn.

It should also be noted that a covering yarn used as the ion knitting yarn may be made in such a way that a false-twist textured yarn is wound around an elastic core yarn, and the ion powder is impregnated into this elastic core yarn and/or false-twist textured yarn.

Also, the ion knitting yarn is not limited to a covering yarn, and may also use a single false-twist textured yarn and be made in such a way that the ion powder is impregnated into this false-twist textured yarn.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ion knitting yarn of the Working Example uses a covering yarn A wherein a non-elastic yarn 2 such as a nylon-based (polyamide)/polyester-based fiber is wound around an elastic core yarn 1 (polyurethane based elastic yarn), and the ion powder is impregnated into the nylon-6, that is, the non-elastic yarn 2.

In this case, the ion powder is added to the chips (granulated material) of the nylon-6, that is, the nylon-6 raw material, agitated sufficiently so that the powder granules are evenly and uniformly dispersed, and then prepared by ordinary synthetic fiber spinning processes (heating, compression, extrusion, stretching, etc.).

Covering yarn A is made by winding the non-elastic yarn 2 (nylon-6) containing the ion powder which was manufactured as described above around the elastic core yarn 1 (polyurethane-based elastic yarn), and stockings are knitted using this covering yarn A by an automatic knitting machine.

The particle diameter of ion powder will vary depending on the thickness of the yarn to be manufactured, but to manufacture yarn to be used in stockings, less than or equal to 2.0 microns is preferable, and less than or equal to 1.5 microns is more preferable.

There is 14T6 for the yarn count used in stockings, and the count for a single filament is 14/6, or 2.333 decitex, or 2.12 deniers in old units.

The diameter of 2-denier nylon is approximately 16 microns (calculated value), and given this, it is preferable that the particle diameter of the ion powder be less than or equal to 2.0 microns.

The amount of ion powder to be blended is preferably from 0.05% to 3.00%, more preferably from 0.1% to 1.0%, as a weight ratio.

When this amount to be blended reaches 3.00% or greater, the powder particles may not be uniformly dispersed, and a portion thereof may form lumps (from a few to several dozen clusters) and yarn breakage may occur during the spinning phase.

Also, if the amount to be blended is 0.05% or less, the advantageous effect intrinsic to the ion powder will be diluted and it will be difficult to achieve the effect envisioned.

Also, provided that the quantity of ion powder to be blended is from 0.1% to 1.0% as a weight ratio, large numbers of powder particles will not form clusters in a single area, the uniformity of the yarn's physical properties can be maintained, and further, the advantageous effect of the ion powder can occur consistently.

It should also be noted that, although the example cited was the one in which ion powder is impregnated into non-elastic yarn 2 (nylon-6) of the covering yarn A, the ion powder may also be incorporated into the elastic core yarn (polyurethane-based elastic yarn) of the covering yarn.

In this case, more ion powder can be impregnated compared to non-elastic yarns because the yarn diameter of the elastic core yarn of the covering yarn is thicker and it can be employed for other purposes, such as a knitting yarn for tights, and, because the ion powder does not tend to come into direct contact with the skin, there is an advantage in that the feel of the stocking against the skin is not compromised.

It should also be noted that, for the non-elastic yarn wound around this elastic core yarn, either one impregnated with ion powder, or one not impregnated with ion powder, may be used.

In addition, the ion powder used in the present invention is a multi-element mineral powdered body formed by pulverizing a multi-element mineral.

It should also be noted that the multi-element mineral powdered body used as the ion powder can also be used by mixing with a far-infrared radiating powdered body formed by pulverizing a far-infrared radiating material.

A multi-element mineral is described as a mineral having silicon as its principal constituent, for example, pearlite or pitchstone, and which incorporates a good balance of a multiplicity of elements. It is known that these minerals emit negative ions and electromagnetic waves (extremely weak energy), and that when applied to the body, the moisture in the body is mineralized and causes proteins to be activated. In this case, it is preferable that the multi-element mineral powdered body be used by mixing together two or more types thereof, although it may also be one type.

Further, the constituents of pearlite, an example of a multi-element mineral, are given in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Anhydrous silicon [silica?] (SiO₂) 71.94% Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) 14.94% Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) 2.54% Magnesium oxide (MgO) 0.44% Calcium oxide (CaO) 2.47% Alkali oxides (K₂O + Na₂O) 6.87% Manganese oxide (MnO) 0.03% Phosphoric anhydride (P₂O₅) 0.14% Loss on ignition 3.43% Loss on drying (at 110° C.) 0.07% Other Titanium Trace

Also, far-infrared radiating materials include alumina (Al₂O₃), titania (TiO₂), ferrite (Fe₂O₃), chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃), silica (SiO₂), yttria (Y₂O₃), magnesia (MgO), and the like, and these can be used either alone or in combination in the form of a powdered body by pulverizing these.

Because the stockings 1 of the present Working Example were knitted using a knitting yarn into which ion powder had been impregnated, negative ions can be continuously generated from this knitting yarn.

These negative ions then act on the blood, putting the human body into a state slightly inclined toward the negative ions, the body is thereby balanced, metabolism becomes active, and the body becomes healthy with a tendency not to age.

In addition, a cluster phenomenon (a force that reduces the size of aqueous molecular assemblies) occurs in fluids as a result of the negative ions, thereby improving blood circulation in areas where [the stockings] are worn, and aiding in the improvement of immune system potency, mood stability, physical functions, the elimination of waste, the improvement of respiratory function, relief of the feelings of fatigue, and the like.

In addition, electromagnetic waves (extremely weak energy) radiate from the multi-element mineral to a distance of from 5 to 10 mm in the surrounding area.

These electromagnetic waves have a wavelength of from 4 to 14 μm, and act to electrically alter the area around the nucleus of atoms, and further induce an excited state (vibration) in the atoms and further, in matter [composed] thereof. As a result, the polymerization of the water clusters is cut off and abbreviated, the volume of the water contracts and density increases, bringing about abundant adhesion of water (free water) to the outer membranes of animals and plant cells, causing hyperosmosis of water along with Ca²⁺ into the interior of the cells, thereby causing various cell functions to be activated.

To explain the advantageous effects of the present invention, the results of having test subjects wear stockings that had been knitted using knitting yarn into which 1.0% by weight of an ion powder having a particle diameter of 1.5 microns had been blended (hereinafter, “the present invention product”), and commercially available stockings in which no ion powder had been mixed (hereinafter, “commercial product”) will be shown. The test used three test subjects (women), and the first day, they were made to wear the present invention product, and the next day, the commercial product. Serum lactic acid levels before wearing and seven hours after wearing [the stockings], respectively, were measured. It should also be noted that the subjects were made to do the same activity for a period of two days. The measurement results for serum lactic acid levels and changed values are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Measurement Measurement Time 10 hours Time 17 hours Changed Value <Subject 1> When wearing the 9.3 4.4 −4.9 present invention When wearing 8.1 8.1 ±0.0 commercial product <Subject 2> When wearing the 3.3 3.3 ±0.0 present invention When wearing 3.0 7.9 +4.9 commercial product <Subject 3> When wearing the 3.6 4.1 +0.5 present invention When wearing 3.5 4.5 +1.0 commercial product *Units for measured values: mg/dL (reference values for women: 3.7 to 16.3) *Findings: In Subjects 2 and 3, controlled the rise in serum lactic acid levels; in Subject 1, reduced the level of serum lactic acid.

In addition, when a far-infrared-radiating powdered body is mixed into the ion powder, far-infrared radiation is emitted from this far-infrared radiating powdered body, and the area where the stockings are worn can be warmed from the inside and blood circulation can be improved. It should also be noted that the particle diameter of the far-infrared radiating powdered body will depend on the thickness of the yarn to be manufactured, but provided that it is to be manufactured into a yarn for stockings, it is preferable that it be less than or equal to 2.0 microns, more preferably less than or equal to 1.5 microns, similar to the ion powder.

Also, when a far-infrared-radiating powdered body is mixed into the ion powder, the total amount of both to be blended is preferably from 0.06% to 3.00%, more preferably from 0.1% to 1.0%, as a weight ratio.

If the amount to be blended is 3.00% or greater, the powder particles may not be uniformly dispersed and a portion thereof may form lumps (from a few to several dozen clusters), and yarn breakage may occur during the spinning phase.

It should also be noted that, if the amount of ion powder to be blended is less than or equal to 0.05%, the advantageous effect intrinsic to the ion powder will be diluted and it will be difficult to achieve the effect envisioned, and thus, the amount of ion powder to be blended is set at 0.05% or greater.

Also, it is preferable to make the blending ratio of the ion powder and the far-infrared radiating powdered body be from 0.2 to 0.3 parts far-infrared radiating powdered body to 1 part ion powder.

One or more types of a metallic powder of a silver compound, a copper compound, or a zinc compound can be impregnated into the ion knitting yarn. In this case, because these metallic compounds have antifungal and/or anti-bacterial properties in that they can kill, destroy or control fungi and trichophyton and the like, the stockings can be worn hygienically and in comfort. The metallic powders may be impregnated together with the ion powder, or may be impregnated together with the ion powder and the far-infrared radiating powdered body.

The particle diameter of the metallic powder will depend on the thickness of the yarn to be manufactured, but when a yarn is manufactured for stockings, it is preferably less than or equal to 2.0 microns, more preferably less than or equal to 1.5 microns, similar to the ion powder.

Also, when both an ion powder and a metallic powder are to be impregnated, or when a metallic powder is impregnated into an ion powder and a far-infrared-radiating powdered body, the total amount thereof to be blended is preferably from 0.06% to 3.00%, more preferably from 0.1% to 1.5%, as a weight ratio.

If the amount to be blended is greater than or equal to 3.00%, the powder particles may not be uniformly dispersed and a portion thereof may form lumps (from a few to several dozen clusters), and yarn breakage may occur during the spinning phase.

It should also be noted that, if the amount of ion powder to be blended is less than or equal to 0.05%, the advantageous effects intrinsic to the ion powder will be diluted and it will be difficult to achieve the effect envisioned, and thus, the amount of ion powder to be blended is set at 0.05% or greater.

Also, it is preferable that the amount of ion powder and metallic powder to be blended be set at less than or equal to 0.3 parts, more preferably less than or equal to 0.1 part, of metallic powder to 1 part ion powder.

Also, it is preferable that the amount of ion powder and far-infrared radiating powdered body and metallic powder to be blended be set at from 0.1 to 0.2 parts far-infrared radiating powdered body, and less than or equal to 0.3 parts, more preferably less than or equal to 0.1 part, of metallic powder to 1 part ion powder.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The stockings of the present invention can be worn on the body, and negative ions can be continuously generated from the knitting yarn itself by friction resulting from the extension and contraction of the knitting yarn itself, friction with fellow knitting yarns, and friction between the knitting yarn and the skin and/or other clothing as a result of life activities or walking locomotion.

The action of these negative ions improves blood circulation, and can be useful for promoting health, such as improving immune system potency, stabilizing moods, improving physical functions, the excretion of waste products, the improvement of respiratory functions, the relief of feelings of fatigue, and the like.

In addition, when a far-infrared radiating powdered body is mixed into the ion powder (Claim 3), in addition to the blood circulation promotion effect by the ion powder, circulation can be promoted as a result of the heating effect from the far-infrared radiating powdered body. Moreover, if the particle diameter of ion powder and the far-infrared radiating powdered body is set at less than or equal to 2.0 microns (Claims 4 and 5), yarn breakage in the spinning phase can be prevented. Also, if the amount of ion powder to be blended, or the amount of ion powder and far-infrared radiating powdered body to be blended, is set at from 0.05% to 3.00% as a weight ratio (Claims 6 and 8), yarn breakage in the spinning phase can be prevented, while at the same time, a consistent advantageous effect of the ion powder may occur more easily. In addition, if the amount of ion powder to be blended, or the amount of ion powder and far-infrared radiating powdered body to be blended, is set at from 0.1% to 1.0% as a weight ratio (Claims 7 and 9), beyond the aforementioned advantageous effect, the powder particles will not cluster in a single area, and the uniformity of the yarn's physical properties can be maintained, and further, a consistent advantageous effect of the ion powder may occur more easily.

Moreover, if one or more kinds of a metallic powder of any of a silver compound, a copper compound, or a zinc compound are added to knitting yarn (Claim 10), fungi, trichophyton, and the like, can be killed or eradicated. Also, if the particle diameter of the metallic powder is set at less than or equal to 2.0 microns (Claim 11), yarn breakage in the yarn phase can be prevented, and the consistent advantageous effect of the ion powder may occur more easily.

In addition, if the amount of ion powder and metallic powder to be blended, or the amount of ion powder and a far-infrared radiating powdered body and the metallic powder to be blended, is set at from 0.06% to 3.00% as a weight ratio (Claim 12), yarn breakage in the spinning phase can be prevented, and the consistent advantageous effect of the ion powder may occur more easily.

Moreover, if the amount of ion powder and metallic powder to be blended, or the amount of ion powder and far-infrared radiating powdered body and metallic powder to be blended, is set at from 0.1% to 1.0% as a weight ratio (Claim 13), beyond the aforementioned advantageous effects, the powder particles will not cluster in a single area, and the uniformity of the yarn's physical properties can be maintained, and further, the consistent advantageous effect of the ion powder may occur more easily. 

1. Stockings which incorporate, at least in part, a knitting yarn impregnated with (a) an ion powder formed by pulverizing a multi-element mineral wherein the particle diameter of the ion powder is less than or equal to about 2.0 microns, and (b) a far-infrared powdered body formed by pulverizing a far-infrared radiating material wherein the particle diameter of the far-infrared powdered body is less than or equal to about 2.0 microns, and wherein the total amount of the ion powder and far-infrared radiating powdered body is from about 0.06% to about 3.00% as a weight ratio. 2.-13. (canceled)
 14. Stockings which incorporate, at least in part, a knitting yarn impregnated with (a) an ion powder formed by pulverizing a multi-element mineral wherein the particle diameter of the ion powder is less than or equal to about 2.0 microns, and (b) at least one kind of metallic powder selected from the group consisting of a silver compound, a copper compound and/or a zinc compound wherein the particle diameter of the metallic powder is less than or equal to about 2.0 microns, and wherein the total amount of the ion powder and metallic powder is from about 0.06% to about 3.00% as a weight ratio. 